The book sets out the basic facts of the legal system. It is written without any expectation of prior legal knowledge, in a style which is jargon-free and designed to clarify the law for the non-lawyer. It considers the legal issues which have arisen in recent high-profile cases and discusses the implications of legislation extending prescribing powers. This book is recommended to all healthcare professionals who are involved in pain management, as well as patient groups, relatives and managers who have to deal with many complex legal issues relating to pain management.